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Eating sugary foods, researchers have found, increases the risk of dying from heart disease. Researchers analysed data from a nationally representative sample of 31,147 adults, gathered in a larger 20-year study of health and mortality.

The study was posted online in JAMA Internal Medicine. All participants received physical examinations and responded to a food questionnaire. The scientists calculated added sugar -- that is, all sugar not found naturally in fruits and fruit juices, but instead in sugar-sweetened beverages, dairy desserts, candy, cakes and other foods - as a percentage of total calorie intake.

After adjusting for age, smoking, sex, BMI, physical activity and other factors, they found that compared with people whose calories were less than 10 per cent from added sugar, those whose intake was 10 to 25 per cent added sugar had a 30 per cent increased risk of cardiovascular death.

Those whose diet was more than 25 per cent added sugar almost tripled their risk.